My first three children are boys. Listen.
I’m no stranger to dirt. Or sticks arranged in a heap on my kitchen table. Or rocks mysteriously tucked away until they experience the freedom victory lap in my dryer. Heh. I even made the mistake once of throwing away a leaf that was on a boy’s dresser, unaware that it was that day’s precious find. Glory.
In the early days, I saw this endless collection of nature as irrelevant, misplaced, and disposable. But not my boys. They could see what I couldn’t…
A beautiful masterpiece in spite of imperfection.
A creation worthy of being reclaimed instead of flippantly discarded.
A treasure kept, protected, and designed for great purpose.
My favorite was when they would dig holes for me to plant flowers in Springtime. Without fail, they’d come across a rock that had been buried down deep. But because they chose to see beyond the filthy mess? Instead of tossing the rock off to the side, they’d run to the nearest water spigot and wash it clean, exposing a beauty previously unknown.
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Becoming living stones in a dying world…
As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him…
Christians in the Roman empire were being persecuted beyond belief, living in a society that was ignorant about the one true God.
But say-it-like-it-is Peter has a message for God’s people:
The world is dying. You were once scarred by sin, and even now rejected by men. But because of Jesus, you’re alive. Oh Christian, rise up and live like you’re ALIVE.
Were they tempted to wonder if all of the suffering was really worth it? Had they forgotten the curse of death from which they had already been rescued? Were they distracted just long enough to take their eyes off of their capable Rescuer? Or maybe they were so afraid that they buried their faith down deep in an act of self preservation…
Sometimes it’s really hard to live ALIVE.
I don’t know… maybe you can identify?
You’ve suffered for so long that you wonder if God is really there.
You’ve given into apathy, you’ve disregarded grace, and you’ve grown cold to your own sin.
You’ve pursued the things of this world instead of running hard after your Savior.
You’ve buried your faith down deep because you feel afraid, broken, unworthy, ashamed, forgotten, or __________.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light…
Fiery Peter speaks Truth as the war rages on around them:
Remember the cross. Your foundation is secure. The world may be dying, but Jesus has made you alive. Become like living stones – no longer dead and buried – but alive and built up…
Do you feel buried by the weight of the world? Then let today be the day that you find yourself at the foot of the cross, looking up, washed clean, remembering Whose you are:
A beautiful masterpiece in spite of imperfection.
A creation worthy of being reclaimed instead of flippantly discarded.
A treasure kept, protected, and designed for great purpose.
You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…
Father, take us back to our firm Cornerstone and help us to live…
Alive.
At His feet,
*LET’S TALK: Are you living buried, or alive? What do you need to bring to the surface and surrender to Jesus today to let him wash clean so that you can live fully ALIVE? If you feel brave, comment and share that thing as a statement of surrender. If you feel brave but are unable to be specific, simply type, “I surrender, Jesus. Help me to live ALIVE.” so that our team can pray for you too. How I love the encouragement and acceptance that goes on in this place…
{Week 2} Video:
{If you’re unable to see this video, you can view it here.}
{Week 2} Challenge: Find a small rock in nature, clean it, and carry it in your pocket every day this week. Let the presence of the rock be a reminder for you to embrace your role as a living stone in a dying world. Then go and live ALIVE.
{Week 2} Reading Plan:
{Week 2} Memory Verse:
I surrender, Jesus. Help me to live ALIVE.
Saundra,
Thank you for your courage to surrender. My the stone you carry this week remind you of this: All God has (every single solitary thing) is yours, because you belong to Jesus. (John 16:15) <3 We will be praying for you!
~Terria
I surrender, Jesus. Help me to live ALIVE.
A few weeks behind but going thru this with you all
I surrender, Jesus. Help me to live ALIVE.
Salema,
I honor your bravery in surrendering. May the stone you carry this week remind you of this: Nothing in all creation (not one thing) can ever separate you from God’s love. (Romans 8:35-39) We will be praying for you!
~Terria
I surrender, Jesus. Help me to live ALIVE.
Karen,
Thank you for your obedience to surrender. May your stone you carry this week remind you that: God will keep you from falling until the very day that you joyfully stand blameless in His presence. (Jude 1:24) We will be praying for you!
I surrender, Jesus. Help me to live ALIVE.
Carla, Thank you for your willingness to surrender. May your stone that you carry this week remind you that: The good things that God has planned for you are too numerous to count. (Psalm 40:5) We will be praying for you!
~Terria
I surrender, Jesus. Help me to live ALIVE
Gloria,
Thank you for humbling yourself and surrendering. May the stone you carry this week remind you that: God sees all of your hardships and He cares about your suffering. (Psalm 31:7) We will be praying for you!
~Terria
For far to long I have compared myself to others and what they have and not fully just been happy with the love and blessings that I have. I just need to unbury myself and live ALIVE! God has blessed me more then I deserve and I am worthy of His love. Thank you God for always being there with me and seeing the beauty in me even when I don’t see it myself. AMen
Becky, thank you for your courage and bravery to share. Speaking your truth out loud is the first part of unburying yourself and living alive! Comparison with others is violence against self, so I am so glad you are laying aside that bad habit. One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 1:5 which says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” God’s unique creation of you, His purpose for you, His love for you was predestined and established before you were born, and long before you were faced with people’s judgments and opinions of you. Becky, may the rock you carry this week remind you that you are uniquely and wonderfully made! Praying for you!
~Terria
Me too Becky. I can relate.
I have mentioned this in my SOAP last week, it was in my prayer that was the time when my situation are so beak and I said, “My hands are both raised, Father God, I surrender”…..
Marilyn,
Thank you for courage to share. It is amazing how your SOAP last week addressed Whitney’s beautiful message this morning! I love how the Holy Spirit aligns us with our Heavenly Father and even puts us in unity with each other! I’m praying for you and know that God is your very present help for you in times of trouble!
~Terria
My insecurities keep me from being fully alive in Christ. I am new to bible study and feel so inferior in my knowledge and complete understanding of the bible that I sit on the sidelines.
Katherine, I can relate to what you are saying. I hope it helps to know that I am there walking along side you ♡
Katherine,
I honor your boldness to share. Satan would love for you to be hindered by insecurity. He wants you to forget that not too long ago angels in Heaven were rejoicing over you and celebrating the day of your salvation. Satan wants you to forget that when you are weak in an area, then that’s when you are strongest because God’s grace and His power rest on you. Satan wants you to forget that when God begins a good work in you, He is faithful to complete it, no matter how difficult or how long it takes. Never forget the love and compassion the Lord has for you and His desire for you to grow. Your hunger and thirst to know God WILL be satisfied.
On a practical note… make sure you have a version of the Bible (NIV, ESV, NLT, etc) that you will understand as you grow. Write in and highlight the verses in your bible that give you life. In church, at your small group meeting, at your bible study, carry a notebook and take lots of notes on the sermons and messages you hear. I was saved as an adult. When I first studied the Bible, I had a teen study bible because it was the only thing I understood. I carried it everywhere with me. In the beginning, I was so embarrassed, but I grew unashamed of it. I still have that tattered bible with 25 million notes in it. LOL. I can’t bear to get rid of it. It represents my hunger for God. Most importantly, persevere with Love God Greatly, a community of women who love God’s Word, a community who will love on you, a community who will remind you every single day that you are loved because you are His. I will be praying for you!
~Terria
Katherine,
I have also dealt with the same disconnect from the Word of God. Until one day I asked Him to allow His Word to be my delight. I prayed about being completely consumed in His Word and immersed in it until He made it so. Now I can’t get enough of it. I look forward to my time with Him daily. And I promise you, if you ask Him for it, He will give it to you. Every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). This just does apply to reading His Word, it applies to faith, patience, peace and whatever else you need. Just ask. God bless you.
Katheine,
I truly feel the same as you. On top of feeling inadequate when it comes to the bible, I’m a quiet person. I had to take a leap of faith and listen for His still small voice calling me out from the shore onto the waves of faith. So I signed up for my first mission trip to Honduras 2 years ago. The experience was do powerful with Gods presence I signed up to go to Dominican Republic this year. This time “He has made me Brave.” I can’t wait to pray and love on these people I will be providing medical care to! He will never leave you Katherine! God Bless!
And what can all those rocks build? Something amazing!! Made me think of this article that I came across this last week, enjoy!
http://mind–blown.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-french-postman-who-built-his-own.html
Stephanie, Thank you for sharing!
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
Katherine,
I honor your boldness to share. Satan would love for you to be hindered by insecurity. He wants you to forget that not too long ago angels in Heaven were rejoicing over you and celebrating the day of your salvation. Satan wants you to forget that when you are weak in an area, then that’s when you are strongest because God’s grace and His power rest on you. Satan wants you to forget that when God begins a good work in you, He is faithful to complete it, no matter how difficult or how long it takes. Never forget the love and compassion the Lord has for you and His desire for you to grow. Your hunger and thirst to know God WILL be satisfied.
On a practical note… make sure you have a version of the Bible (NIV, ESV, NLT, etc) that you will understand as you grow. Write in and highlight the verses in your bible that give you life. In church, at your small group meeting, at your bible study, carry a notebook and take lots of notes on the sermons and messages you hear. I was saved as an adult. When I first studied the Bible, I had a teen study bible because it was the only thing I understood. I carried it everywhere with me. In the beginning, I was so embarrassed, but I grew unashamed of it. I still have that tattered bible with 25 million notes in it. LOL. I can’t bear to get rid of it. It represents my hunger for God. Most importantly, persevere with Love God Greatly, a community of women who love God’s Word, a community who will love on you, a community who will remind you every single day that you are loved because you are His. I will be praying for you!
~Terria
for far too long I have lived in resentment of my husband’s pain and suffering he has on a daily basis and all that it entails including loss, much loss in our marriage the way it used to be and our parenthood… and resentment of the “extra” work and all that requires of me. It is part of God’s plan and I want to find joy in this service in the midst of the pain and suffering. May the weight of His glory crush my sin, my resentment. I want to overcome and live out His compassion. I surrender even this Lord, even this. I want to live fully ALIVE!!
Oh Amy, I could have written your post. May God strengthen us both that we will live fully ALIVE for Him!
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
For some time, I have noticed I have been “existing” but not really living. I am living buried underneath fear. Fear of rejection (not being liked by others an not being like others) and fear of not knowing (the future). I need to surrender to Jesus my fears so I may live as He wants me to and live trusting Him completely, in everything, in every part of life. My statement of surrender: I want to live Christ-like and trust (surrender, hand over) my life to Christ. Jesus, help me live ALIVE.
Symone, Praying for you as you trust God in overcoming. Thank you for stopping by.
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
I surrender, Jesus. Help me to live ALIVE.
Chizzy, Thank you for your courage to live a surrendered life.
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
I surrender, Jesus. Help me to live ALIVE!
Meghan, Thank you for stopping to share your commitment. Praying for you!
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
I surrender, Jesus. Help me to live ALIVE!
Carla, Your stopping by to share your commitment is an encouragement. Thank you!
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
I surrender, Jesus. Help me to live ALIVE.
Becca, Thank you for sharing your commitment.
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
I surrender, Jesus. Help me to live ALIVE!
Jen, Thank you for taking time to comment today. You encourage our hearts!
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
I use to suffer from anxiety, I took meds for 17 years , just buried in suffering. Then one day the LORD , He said ENOUGH! It has been a three year upwards battle but God , He is Faithful to pull me from that pit. Turns out I had a faith issue , I didn’t trust God. So three years now , medication free because Jesus, He’s enough. The enemy will try and tell me otherwise but I am onto him now . He is defeated. With Jesus I am learning to come alive . He is Good , He is God , we can trust Him.
Sue, Thank you for sharing your testimony. I love your last sentence, “He is Good; He is God; We can trust Him.”
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
I am in the same boat. I often walk out onto the water only to look around at the storm. I begin to sink, but When I fix my eyes back on Him, then He pulls me up out of those deep waters. Anxiety is such a difficult thing to deal with. It brings up doubts and insecurities you never knew existed, but it also provides abundant opportunities to exercise faith and trust in the Lord. I have never grown so much spiritually as I have while dealing with anxiety. I have begun to see the need to surrender my will and align with His. At times I simply have to be held by my Father. He is good and doesn’t allow anything to harm us. He gives a future and a hope! I too want to live alive each moment of everyday. Lord, help us.
I surrender, Jesus. Help me to live ALIVE.
Lindi, Thank you for sharing your commitment with us.
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
I surrender Jesus! Help me to live ALIVE!
I desperately need Jesus in every aspect of my life. Mostly to make me brave. I have taken a huge leap of faith in the last two years and went on a mission trip. I felt so inadequate especially around all the other seasoned missionaries n my group who just jumped in a prayed for people. Well I signed up for another for this summer. And signed up to visit and pray at our local county jail. I need to be brave! I need Jesus to be with me every step of the way!
Francine, What a wonderful testimony of trusting God to make you adequate! God bless you as you step out for Him!
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
I surrender, Jesus. Help me live ALIVE! I want to be so filled with God’s love that people just know by looking at me that I’m one of His precious children. I want to be alive in Jesus!
Ann, What a wonderful prayer! Thank you for leaving a comment.
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
I surrender, Jesus. Help me to live ALIVE! Please help me to get out of this rut I have been stuck in for so long. I have no reason to be so unhappy. My circumstances are not the way I want them to be, but Lord I trust you to bring your will for my life, including my baby boy’s life, to pass and in the mean time while we are waiting on you, Lord I pray I can be more obedient to you. I love you Father. In Jesus precious name, Amen.
Jessica, What a beautiful prayer of trust and leaving the results to God. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
I surrender Jesus. Help me live Alive.
Linda, Thank you for leaving a comment. You encourage our hearts.
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
What a blessing to be a part of this Bible Study. my first with you. Being a Christian for many years, one of my favorite hymns is I Surrender All which I love to use as a prayer. ” All to Jesus I surrender; All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all, All to thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all. (By Judson W. Van DeVenter, 1896).
Linda, We are glad you are on this journey with us. Thank you for sharing that hymn!
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
I surrender!! I want so desperately to walk in the freedom that is mine, to live ALIVE… and as much as I would LOVE for the Lord to force me to make those decisions and choices that will lead to me living alive – I know that it is I that must make those intentional choices EACH day, EACH moment. Praying for strength and remembrance…. that I may remember whose I am and what He has called me to.
As I have been rejected by my family since my mom passed it was a confirmation today to see that I am precious to the Lord. To see that He wants me to not feel the rejection but to continue to love as he did. God is so good to me and to taste and see that the Lord is good in the midst of this trial builds my faith in him. I have had times when it has been hard to accept the rejection and the lies that have been spoken, but in the midst of it all Jesus is with me. Oh what a joy it is to know that I am His and that He loves me.
I’m late to the game. I just discovered your Bible studies while searching for one to do in the time between studies at my church. I love the book of 1 Peter and ended up here. I’m so glad I did!! I love the reading plan and the teaching. I LOVE the comparison you made of your boy’s rocks to our lives as living stones. Thanks so much for your work! I surrender, Jesus, help me to live ALIVE!